Blue Collar Mares


                                            Assorted snippets about some characters I came up with


                                            >"PAYDAY!"

                                            >"Jeez King, ya don't gotta yell. We're right here, y'know." Herringbone complained as she cleaned out an ear with a feather

                                            >"I know you're right here, that's why I yelled." King Stud stated as he levitated three envelopes to his awaiting employees. "There, you have your money."

                                            >The stallion quickly returned to his office, poking his head out to say "I don't want to see any of you again until Monday!" before slamming the door and loudly locking it

                                            >Bit Brace and Olive Shiplap put their envelopes in their saddlebags and headed for the exit, while Herringbone quickly tore into hers

                                            >"Aw mare, how come King nevah gives me any ovatime? I came in early! All week!" Herringbone exclaimed as she flapped behind her coworkers

                                            >"You know you gotta actually stay 'til 5 every day too, right?" Bit Brace snarked, earning a snicker from Olive Shiplap

                                            >Herringbone grumbled and rolled her eyes, "There's always a catch."


                                            =-=-=-=


                                            >>40989682

                                            >"And then she tells 'im, 'We's already figured out what kinda colt ya are, now we're jus' negotiatin' price!'"

                                            >The three mares laugh raucously at Herringbone's joke

                                            >Calming down from her laughter, Bit Brace surveyed her surroundings

                                            >They were sitting in their usual booth in their usual bar, the Dirty Dog Bowl

                                            >Staffed almost entirely by Diamond Dogs, a skeevy joint near the industrial district of Manehattan

                                            >It was dimly lit, probably to obscure the years of grime on every inch of the place, and served some of the most mediocre cider in town

                                            >If the place had a couple more stallions, Bit Brace might've called it heaven

                                            >Just as Bit Brace's eyes passed over the bar's entrance, the door was thrown open, revealing the sheets of rain pouring outside

                                            >She craned her neck as much as she could, but Bit Brace couldn't see over the other patrons

                                            >What she did see was the mares and diamond dogs either making way or being magically shoved by whoever came in

                                            >Eventually, from among the legs of the bargoers, out stomped a unicorn stallion

                                            >Though he wore a cloak, still dripping with rainwater and covering his features, his exceptional height-or lack thereof-was instantly recognizable

                                            >It was none other than King Stud

                                            >Her boss

                                            >Bit Brace tried to suppress a groan as King Stud beelined for their table as soon as he spotted them

                                            >"Hi Mr.Stud!" Olive Shiplap greeted happily

                                            "Boss." Bit Brace acknowledged

                                            >"Olive. Bit." King eyed each of them before briefly looking around the bar. "Where's the bird?"

                                            >Both Bit and Olive turned to the now empty spot between them

                                            >At some point, Herringbone had apparently made her getaway

                                            >Looking around, they honed in on the edge of the bar counter, where Herringbone was chirping up a very bored-looking stallion

                                            >With a sigh, Bit Brace trotted over to them

                                            >As she neared them, Bit Brace could start hearing the nonsense coming from Herringbone

                                            >"Come on, toots. Lemme show ya what dese wings can REALLY do~" Herringbone cooed

                                            >Bit Brace rolled her eyes, grabbed a mouthful of Herringbone's scruff, and dragged the complaining pegasus back to their booth, throwing Herringbone into her seat before plopping back into her own

                                            >Herringbone grumbled as she fiddled with her now-ruffled wings, "Stupid bucking bitch..."

                                            >A throat clearing from King Stud quickly brought the pegasus mare to attention

                                            >"Well, heya King!" Herringbone grinned wickedly

                                            >"Guess ya couldn' resist from huntin' us down jus' to look upon my gorgeous mug, huh?" Herringbone brought a hoof under her face and pouted her lips like the stallions in fashion magazines

                                            >King Stud's snout scrunched at her words

                                            >"Don't make me fire you, Herring."

                                            >Herringbone deflated at his words and scooted further back in her seat

                                            >King Stud sighed as he ran hoof through his pinewood-colored mane

                                            >"Now, I don't want to stay in this dump a second longer than I have to, so listen up. Monday morning, you three are meeting me at the train station. Pack for a week-long trip."

                                            >All three mares shared concerned looks among themselves

                                            >"Where we headed?" Olive Shiplap piped up

                                            >King Stud rolled his eyes and groaned, "I'll tell you then. You're getting paid, if that's what you three are worried about."

                                            >Before any of them could ask him another question, King Stud magically pulled his hood back up and swiftly made his way out of the bar

                                            >"Hm." Herringbone hummed, "Whaddya girls think he's got planned?"

                                            >"Maybe he's giving us an all-expenses paid trip!" Olive offered

                                            >Bit Brace shook her head,

                                            "Unless the Pony Express stops in Tartarus, I'd doubt it."